In June 1944 the greatest invasion force ever assembled came ashore in Normandy – D-Day and the start of the liberation of France holds a special place in the hearts of the residents of Normandy .

The many museums and commemorative sites in the region include Coastal battery installations, the Liberation Museum at Cherbourg , the Airborne Museum at Sainte-Mere- Eglise , the actual beaches themselves – there are many places that are well worth a visit - some are listed below:

• The Caen Memorial is the only museum in the world that offers an historic journey through the 20th century, from the Second World War to the world at the time of the cold war to the present day – ending with an area dedicated to peace.
• Arromanches 360 ° - shows a film, The Price of Freedom, on 9 screens in a circular cinema. This mixes unreleased footage from war correspondents filmed on D-Day with present day pictures shot on location in now peaceful settings.
• Museum du Debarquement at Arromanches has been built on the site where the artificial port – the Mulberry Harbour – was installed after D-Day. A fascinating insight into this gigantic achievement.
• The Battle for Normandy Museum in Bayeux has undergone a major renovation and reopens in May 2006. This excellent museum should be even better and well worth a day out.
• Pegasus Bridge , just north of Caen , was the first place in France to be liberated. The men of the 6 th British Airborne Division landed in gliders and captured this vital bridge, holding it until the troops arrived from the D-Day beaches.

Click here for more suggestions for great days out in Normandy